assesment with mental health nurse on wednesday

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

i told my gp i was feeling worse (have PND and am on venlafaxine) and she emailed the CMN who runs the CBT group i am attending as well as altering my medication dose.

the CMN sent me an appointment to see her this wednesday and an assesment form to fill in,which asks stuff about my past and that.

i have filled most of it in but have left out some stuff as there are notes at the bottom with tick boxes like 'is a refferal to social services needed?' and 'is there a child in immediate danger?' and stuff like that.

i have never hurt my children or been involved with ss,apart from getting letters off them when i was in a violent relationship,but now i am scared of going to this thing,especially in light of recent stuff in the news.

i want to feel better but i dont want anybody thinking i cant cope with my children.all my problems are inside my head and the only person i am nasty to is myself.

You are doing the right thing.It is daunting getting help.No one is going to remove your children,the assessment is for you.xxxThese forms are quite mad.I had tohave a family assessment thing done totick the boxes for dd specialneeds,a lot of the questions were irrelevant to me but still had to be filled.xxxHugs.Good luck xx

Please dont worry. Generally psychiatric services and social work get a bad name. My advice would be to be as honest as you can, and realistic. The forms are kind of general and will be filled out by people who's kids are at risk, it is not specific to you. Its risk assessment. Being open and honest about what is going on in your head is the quickest way to finding the path of recovery best suited to you. I didnt always find this easy! Remember the cpn is there to help and I'm certain that whatever is in your head they have heard 100 times before, these people aren't easily shocked. Being nasty and 'taking your anger out on yourself' is not unusual, and the cpn will understand that and be able to show you how to be kinder to yourself. Here to chat if you want to. Take care

you could be me - but i only have 2 babies not 5. i filled in the forms etc - i now see a cpn and sometimes the consultant she works with and i've been to a couple of 'self help' groups (they sound worse than they were) i thought admitting i wasn't well was showing i couldn't cope but no one suggested taking them away from me though i sometimes think that it's spoken about behind my back but it's just my 'irrational' thoughts jumping in again. I'm sure they will see that you dcs and se they are well cared for and happy and that they are in no danger what so ever........seems sensible to say that to someone else but i can't believe it about myself

sorry if that hasn't helped....i'm rubbish at trying to write what i mean

DeathBySnooSnoo Hi

In my opinion telling your GP how you really feel was a very brave first step to take.It must have been so hard if you were already worried about your children. You just need to find a little bit more courage so you can be as honest with the CPN.

Saying that I know how hard opening up can be, it must have taken me nearly a year before I felt I could trust my CPN enough to tell her how I really felt. I was terrified she would section me but she never did, in fact she was amazing and saved my life. I agree with the comments made by blushingm and blanki and blushingm your not rubbish at writing what you mean in fact you put it very well perhaps you just lack a bit of self-confidence.

The forms are standard forms and I think they have to ask certain questions. These days metal health practioners get such a bad press but they do work so very hard to keep families together not split them up. Saying that you are always going to get some who are not so good but thats life.

I also used to 'take the anger out on myself' through self-harm and binge eating and the irrational thoughts are still there. I now believe 'saying I can't cope' takes courage and it's not a sign of weakness.

I wish you well with your appointment and would like to know how you get on, best wishes,good luck and hugsx

thank you everybody

i saw my gp this morning(am seeing her about meds once a fortnight)and told her about the assessment thing.she said it could be a good thing and i could end up getting extra help from pshychology or something.

i get very frustrated as i try to tell the gp how i feel but i always end up watering it down,and she often ends up saying how i feel is undertsandable and due to stress etc.today,however,dh came with me and told her exactly how i'd been for the last 2 weeks.

anyway,i know the cmn i am seeing on wednesday has children of her own.i find it easier to be honest with other parents as i know they are going to have a bit more understanding.

I am a psychiatric nurse so don't be worried about the assessment. They will just be looking at ways in which they can support you so you don't get to anxious about the social services part, just want to make sure the children are well looked after, which they will be able to see when they come round etc.

I just have to day this sounded just like me. I am on 225mg of venlaflaxine and also take a tablet to assist on my sleeping.

I am receiving CBT, but also have access to other mental health facilities. I have CPM who comes out to me once a week to discuss how the week has been.

My medication is consultant driven (who I see monthly) and I also have access to a 24 hour crisis team, should I need them.

They have told me in no uncertain terms that they will not remove me or my children and thay are here to help me and my family whilst I get over my illness.

Please dont worry and be open and honoust, as they can help.